a certain
idiom
1
—used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe
She has a certain elegance about her.
The house has a certain charm.
2
formal
—used with the name of a person one does not know
In 1889, a certain Mr. Kelly made a large donation to the church.
Examples of a certain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To paraphrase a certain pioneering rock band, there’s been a whole lotta Labi in the culture over the last few years.
—
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Some also said Harley had lost a certain magic which few other brands possess without having their name tattooed on someone's body or rallies drawing thousands of customers.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The issue arises when your tardiness becomes a pattern, especially with a certain individual who may be very patient and understanding but will still likely prefer punctuality.
—Joseph Liu, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
There is a certain frequency DeLillo captures, or maybe creates, not entirely unlike that of Conrad’s and Didion’s in its clairvoyance and occasional portentousness, that suggests a secret world hovering behind the world of the everyday.
—Jon Raymond
august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
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David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Some also said Harley had lost a certain magic which few other brands possess without having their name tattooed on someone's body or rallies drawing thousands of customers.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The issue arises when your tardiness becomes a pattern, especially with a certain individual who may be very patient and understanding but will still likely prefer punctuality.
—Joseph Liu, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
There is a certain frequency DeLillo captures, or maybe creates, not entirely unlike that of Conrad’s and Didion’s in its clairvoyance and occasional portentousness, that suggests a secret world hovering behind the world of the everyday.
—Jon Raymond
august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Cite this Entry
“A certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20certain. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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